Thursday, July 1, 2010

48 LIVES AND THAT OF 1

48 LIVES AND THAT OF 1

A man in a car
Driving after hours,
On his way home.
Crack went the windscreen
He sped on alarmed
Pretty agitated
Very confused.


He made the newspapers the next morning
HONOURABLE
A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
A MINISTER OF STATE.
They called it an assassination attempt
Matter of national security
Report’s been made
Investigations underway
Culprits soon to be brought to book.


He was the toast of the radio
Frenetic discussions
Heated arguments
An attempt’s been made on an HONOURABLE’S LIFE.
Calls for increased security
OUR HONOURABLES
Must be protected.
They’re the very blood
That flows through our nation’s veins.


On a bus travelling up north
Was quite dark
Most were asleep.
The old bus groaned
Protesting noisily
As it travelled along.
Road was deserted
Not a soul or vehicle in sight.


Shots fired
Driver swerved into the opposite lane
Rammed a makeshift roadblock
Sign on the block read,
Highway robbers
Busy at work.
Slow down or bite a bullet,
Your choice, we call the shots.
They directed a barrage at the rear of our bus
All hit the deck,
Bullet grazed my thigh.
Driver’s bleeding from left shoulder
Kept a brave face
Carried us all to safety.


Put pressure on the driver’s wound
Managed to stop the bleeding.
Arrived at our destination early dawn
Headed straight for the nearest police station
Made a report
Left statements as per their demands.
It’s been almost a year now
Nothing’s been heard.
Got a scar where the bullet grazed my thigh.
Our story never made the newspapers
Police said they had no leads,
We never made the headlines,
Ours was no news.
Nobody discussed our tragic incident
On the radio shows.


We numbered forty eight on
That very bus,
Yet no one heard our story
Let alone make it headline news.
One man driving his car at dark
Made the news just because
He is an HONOURABLE,
A MINISTER OF STATE,
That was a matter of national security.


If you want to make the news,
GET VOTED INTO PARLIAMENT
YOUR TITLE WILL BE HONOURABLE
BECOME A MINISTER OF STATE
Not a guard at the gate,
Then you can make the news.
Even when you suffer a muscle pull
That will make prime time news
Trip on your shoe laces
That will be front page news
Become an HONOURABLE
And you will forever be headline news.
If you are a nobody like me,
Just lick your wounds
And live in oblivion,
Get robbed at gunpoint
And live forever afraid
You are no news
You are unimportant
You are just the guy
Who got shot travelling up north on a rickety bus.

11 comments:

  1. hhhmmm What's the essence of voting for them if all that they seem to care is about themselves, Personally I think the media should be held responsible. They should also stop talking about what sells more and concentrate on we the CITIZENS. the drivers who drive them to work, those market women who spend all their time in this scorching sun... well done man keep it up

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  2. Another brilliant piece. Guess I will have to join the bandwagon of Honourables in order to make the banner headlines. Its about time the media started to look out for the ordinary citizen. Big ups man!

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  3. what a coincidence!i just put on my tele to see the minister being interviewed...with a couple of mics around his mouth...a great man of the state of the state was near wiped to called for a state mourning; just becos he is an honorable.I will not blame much but at time the media has to be blame to too for unnecessary hyping of news of their interesting leaving others of no payola to rest.this unfairness thing which has pervade our terrain can be minimised thru our pen.let keep, keepin on.you have me many things through thru dis narrative piece of urs.I have a story to tell which i have to start to write now or just forget about it.good write

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  4. Tops, well said ma man. funny how those who are supposed to serve wind up living like kings and queens while the majority is saddled with so many issues and what nots....thanks for coming man, i post at least a piece everyday. just walk in and let's deliberate on issues. nice day man. first comment on ma most recent piece, you're top draw in my book mate. spread the word and bring along busloads of friends, here's the spot to be...1

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  5. sorry for the small typos in there.I was in a rush, will take my time next time round..

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  6. dave, it's way past time dey started. no one looks out for the ordinary man in dis country. either somebody knows you or you are somebody with political clout else you'll rot and nobody wud evn notice you're gone... thnks 4 coming bro, i rli appreciate dat. bring along loads of frends, here's our spot now bro...wish u de best o de wkend...1

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  7. agyei, jst showing up is enough for me..love dem typos man, means u had so much to write your brain and fingers were tripping on each other..lol...here's our new spot now bro, tell a friend to tell a friend and check myjoyonline too...dey run today's piece on their site...best o d weekend bro...take care, off to check out your blog...hope i get de addy rite..

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  8. This is sheer creativity at its best...........most people know about it but no one has a way to tell the story. This is a masterpiece,thanks for being a voice in an artistic form. Lovely piece friend....i live your style

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  9. Still d man on top of d game....gud show man...y33k) yenim in d very rite direction. Above d sky's d limit

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  10. thanks eric, gotta put that talent to use where everyone else can benefit. your support keeps me going. God bless you....have gud weekend bro, here every single day so do pass by again...

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  11. thanks anonymous, above the sky, we'll get there. definitely. thanks for coming dear, everyday i'll give you at least one piece to read so pls do show up and bring along friends, i'd appreciate that greatly. nice weekend ruth, next time dont forget to include your name in the comment if you choose to post as anonymous...lol... anonymous sounds too anonymous..lol

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